Contest Winners, Customer Stories, Design Contest, Featured Customers, Featured Students, Industry News, Stories

Chief Architect Interior Design Student Wins Gold Medal in National CompetitionFeatured

November 4, 2021
A Chief Architect rendering of the living and dining room area in Hallie O'Higgins design.

Author, Kerry Hansen by Kerry Hansen

Hallie O’Higgins, a senior at Boerne-Champion High School in Boerne, Texas earned a gold medal in a national Interior Design competition. This year the event, put on by the Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA), took place in Nashville, TN. 

Hallie has been involved with the interior design program at Champion High School since her freshman year. She was first introduced to Chief Architect during her sophomore year. Hallie credits her love for architecture and design to Chief Architect. “Once I began using the software, I discovered a love for architecture. Designing functional floor plans and decorating multiple spaces became so enjoyable with the Chief Architect software.”

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Chief & News, Events, Tips & Techniques, Training & Tradeshows

How to Prepare for Chief Academy

June 21, 2022
Students in the Advanced Residential class at Chief Academy.

Author, Kerry Hansen By Kerry Hansen

Chief Architect is proud to have Chief Academy back and in person this year! Chief Academy is an excellent way to get inspired. Spend two and a half days learning new skills to increase your knowledge of the software. Connect with our staff, network with industry peers, test drive new products, get answers to your questions, and more. As a class participant, there are several things you can do to help prepare and ensure your success during your time at Chief Academy.

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Industry News, Tips & Techniques

Post Frame Design in Chief Architect

June 21, 2022
A post frame building designed in Chief Architect Premier.

Phillip Gibney Profile Image by Phillip Gibney

Post frame construction is a building method in which a structure is framed using posts that are connected on the outside with 2 x 4 or 2 x 6 horizontal framing known as girts. The posts are typically placed in a concrete footing or can be connected to a steel fastener that is anchored into the concrete footing. Trusses are typically used to support the roof system. Once the framing is complete the structure can be finished for its intended purpose.

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Chief & News, Design Contest, Events, Tips & Techniques

Best Practices for Entering to Win a Home Design Contest

March 15, 2022
Grandview watercolor rendering with line drawing

Author's Portrait by Kendra Dorosh

Each month we receive a great selection of renderings created by our users for the Chief Architect Design Contests. We’d like to share some ideas and suggestions for how you can craft a great design contest entry that Facebook voters respond positively to. These techniques can be applied when entering a Chief Architect Design Contest, or any other home design contest you might be considering. Let’s get started!

One of the best, and most obvious, aspects of a great design contest entry is a nice rendering. However, it’s also important to supplement the rendering with a well-written description along with your contact information; this is a perfect chance to show off your skills and share your story! We then recommend sharing the post on your own social media channels for the best exposure, we’ll get to this part in a bit.

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    I was the only drafter-designer using Chief Architect in Southern California, or at least it felt that way. I was beating my competitors 99 times out of 100. Customers would always choose me because I could provide 3D renderings. I love Chief Architect……

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    David Michael Designs

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